REVIEW: Haus Of Sound – ‘Campfire Stories’

Seattle’s Haus of Sound make a striking entrance with ‘Campfire Stories’, a debut album that melds operatic vocals, pulsing synths, and guitar-driven dynamics into a high-voltage narrative of sound. Drawing from early-2000s emo, pop-punk, nu-metal, and industrial rock, the record feels like a time capsule reinvented, transforming familiar influences into a theatrical and contemporary statement.

Standout effort ‘Cold Shoulder’ is a track that channels the brooding intensity of Rob Zombie and Nine Inch Nails, combining industrial punch with dramatic flair. ‘Pain in My Eyes’ follows, showcasing the band’s ability to balance narrative depth with sonic heft, while ‘Houdini’ transports us into retellings of legendary tales, amplified by operatic vocal lines that soar above synth swells and riff-heavy backdrops.

Tracks like ‘Mirage’ embrace nu-metal textures reminiscent of Linkin Park, layering dynamic guitars over driving electronic rhythms, whereas ‘Legend of Hollow’ gallops with Muse-like ambition before segueing seamlessly into the haunting power ballad ‘Bloodbath’. This blend of tempo and genre shifts keeps us on edge, culminating in the unexpected ska-punk energy of ‘Anxiety’, which crashes in like a controlled chaos of sound and emotion.

What sets ‘Campfire Stories’ apart is Haus of Sound’s commitment to drama and emotional intensity. Their operatic lead cuts through the dense instrumentation with clarity and power, anchoring the album’s eclectic palette while giving each song a distinct personality. The record is unapologetically theatrical, yet it never loses touch with its 2000s roots, capturing the era’s larger-than-life energy while pushing it forward with modern production and genre-fluidity.

‘Campfire Stories’ is a bold declaration from a band unafraid to blend nostalgia, intensity, and storytelling into a cohesive debut. For those drawn to dramatic alt-rock, cinematic synth-rock, and the charged spirit of early-2000s pop and punk, Haus of Sound have delivered an album that demands attention.